Lamp socket



April 1942- J. F. CAVANAGH 7 2,279,913-

' LAMP SOCKET Filed Oct. 3, 1941 INVENTOR v is inserted so that Patented Apr. 14, 194-2 UNETED ST 2,27 9,913 LAMP SOCKET John F. (avanagh, Pr

lCla-ims.

This invention relates to an electrical lamp socket, more particularly to that type of socket used for double-ended discharge type lamps in which a filamentary electrode is mounted at each end of the lamp.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a lamp socket into which the lamp may be easily and quickly mounted, and one in which the contact pins will be firmly engaged with the contact elements of the socket. 1

Another object of the invention is to utilize resilience in the contacts of the socket for holding the contacts of the socket in firm engagement with the pins.

Another object of the invention is to provide resilient contacts which will be depressed by a rubbing action as the contact pins of the lamp are moved into working position in the socket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a type of contact in the socket in which there will be a wiping or scavenging action as the lamp foreign material will not collect at a point where the transfer of electrical energy is had between the contact pins of the lamp and the contact arms of the socket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a socket which will have a minimum number of molded parts and yet provide the desired passages in the socket base.

A further object of the invention is to provide a socket having a minimum number of molded parts with the remaining metallic parts of an ordinary machine production type which may be produced in multiples and thus at a saving of cost where large production'is desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide such contact arms of sheet stock rather than tubular material and thus an arrangement to provide for minimum cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a lamp mounted in two sockets which sockets are the subject of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of one of the sockets;

Fig. 3 is with one of the halves removed and showing the lamp pins in section;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of one of the halves with the internal mechanism of the socket omitted;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrata view of the interior of the sockets i evidence, It. 1., assig'nor to uy H. Burt, Providence, R. 1.

Application October 3, 1941, Serial No. 413,444

ing the contact pins of the lamp as partially in-- I serted into the socket and showing one position of the contacts of the socket as the contact pins of the tube are entered thereinto;

Fig. 6 is a'perspective view of contact; and v Fig. '7 is a perspective view of another part of the contact in the s0cket.-

In proceeding with this invention, I use two molded parts recessed so as to provide the desired holding arrangement for parts which are enclosed within the socket. These two parts are in duplicate halves, thus requiring but a single mold for the halves of the unit provided. Two of these units designated I0 are asembled'as shown in Fig. 2 by placing their marginal edge inner surfaces H (see Figs. 3 and 4) together. The interior of each section is provided with a channel [2 and each of which receives a me-' tallic conductor l3 fitting in notches to hold it in position and provided with a threaded binding post It.

This conductor comprises a terminal plate l5, an inclined portion l6 abutting a portion of the channel provided, and a stud portion l1. This stud portion l1 is reduced as at I8 and provided with a neck l9 and head upon which there is secured a spring 2|.

A slide contact housing 22 consists of a housing of sheet stock bent as shown in Fig. 6 to provide spaced parallel walls 23 with bridging portion 24 of arcuate shape, and inwardly extending portions 25 bent downwardly as at 26 into substantial contact. This housing is positioned so that the portions 26 will slidably engage the shank [1 while the spring 2! will be located within and between the parallel walls 23 with one end pressing against the bridge portion 24. This spring will force the slide contact 22 outwardly as shown at the left in Fig. 5, the size of the sliding contact 22 being such as to be guided in the channel 12 along the walls 28 and 29 thereof (see Fig. 4)

A slot 30 (see Fig 2) is provided in the face of the base Ill which opens as at 3| at the edge of the base member, while the slot branches as at 32 into two parts with a portion 33 between, as also illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The branches of the slot 32 communicate with the channels I2. The contacts 22 extend across the slot branches 32 and toward the abutment surfaces 34 on either side of the slot 3 l The lamp 35 has end portions 36 equipped with spaced contact pins 31. In use one of these contact pins 31, such as shown at the right in Fig, 5,

one part of the is passedthrough the slot 3| at the edge of the base which is the entrance portion of the slot and given the lamp 35 so as to swing the trailing contact pin 31 about the leading pin 31 as a pivot into engagement with the other sliding contact 22 which will thereupon be depressed and which after having moved beneath the abutment 34 will be permitted to act as a pivot point to allow some reverse rotation of the lamp and permit the leading pin 31 to move into the position against l the opposite abutment 34 and the pins to be positioned as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

Some wearing or scavenging movement will occur each time a lamp is inserted or removed by reason of the rotation of the pins upon these sliding contacts and accordingly dirt or corrosion which may sometimes occur on the contacts will be moved out of position and a good electrical connection will be assured.

The metal parts, exceptfor the spring and the binding screws are sheet stock formable in ordinary machines, as likewise are the springs and the binding screws while but two molded parts are utilized for the formation of the socket of this simple construction.

I claim:

1. A socket for use with a lamp having a pair of spaced contact pins, comprising a base of insulating material, a pair of slidable contacts in said base, a single slot in the face of said base extending to the edge thereof and of a width to receive either of the contact pins, and undercut on each abutments by said contacts.

2. A socket for use with a lamp having a pair of spaced contact pins, comprising a base of insulating material, a single slot in the face of said base extending to the edge thereof and of a width to receive either of the contact pins, and undercut on either side thereof to a width equal to the T lamp pins to provide abutments, a pair of slidable 15 contacts, guides in the base to direct movement of the contacts toward or from said abutments and resilient means to urge said contacts toward said abutments.

3. -A socket for use with a lamp having a pair of spaced contact pins, comprising a base of insulating material, a single slot in the face of said base extending to the edge thereof and of a width to receive either of the contact pins, and undercut on either side thereof to a width equal to the lamp pins to provide abutments, a pair of slidable contacts, guides in the base to direct movement of the contacts toward or from said abutments and springs to urge said contacts toward said abutments.

4. A socket for use with a lamp having a pair of spaced contact pins, comprisinga base of insulating material, a single slot in the face of said base extending to the edge thereof and of a width to receive either of the contact pins, and undercut on each side to a width equal to the lamp pins to provide abutments, channels in the base providing guides toward and from the abutments, contacts in the channels and springs urging the contacts toward the abutments.

JOHN F. CAVANAGH. 

